Vanda orchid flowers turning brown

[gardeningnewbie]

Hi everyone,

I bought a vanda orchid in a glass vase about three weeks ago and now the flowers are turning brown. After turning brown they drop and it looks like it's wilting. Is this normal and part of the blooming process? Attached is a picture.

[WhiteRabbit]

It's possible the blooms were finished - either 3 weeks being the usual amount of time the blooms last, or longer may be usual - if all blooms were open when you got the plant, the flowers may have been older than 3 weeks.

Or, if the plant has been exposed to hot or cold drafts, or sudden change in temps, the blooms could wilt prematurely.

[Bud]

Sonya is right, the flowers have to expire and you just have to wait for the next blooming cycle.
Cut the spike an inch from the base and in a couple of weeks new root growth and new leaves will appear to signal the plant to gather enough energy for the next blooming cycle.

[gardeningnewbie]

Thank you! This is my first orchid and I was worried that it might have been a disease.

To cut the spike, should I use a clean razor blade and cut it in between two nodes at an angle? After this should I seal the cut with some melted wax from a candle so it doesn't get infected? I saw some youtube videos and read some information about cuttings and this was what some people recommended.

[Bud]

no wax needed....just make a cinnamon powder paste with water and dab it on the wound. You can overwater Vandas they love it. Just make sure to let it dry before waterings. The roots become whitish when dry and deep green when wet. Bright shaded light but not direct sun= Mokaras and some Vanda hybrids can be eased out to direct sun....
follow the Vanda culture for your plant look it up online provided by Charles and Margaret Baker.
Another article written by Joe Fields of the HustonOrchidSociety is considered very helpful.

VANDA CULTURE

[gardeningnewbie]

Thank you so much for your help!

[Bud]

You mentioned that you purchased your Vanda in a glass vase= you must research on vase culture and read past threads from senior members posting about this method....inform us about your grow zone, the light source and the percentage humidity/moisture of where the plant is placed. It will be easier for us to help you if we know your growing environment.